Lady Gaga joins Machete sequel

In news that has surprised both the movie and music industry, director Robert Rodriguez has confirmed singer Lady Gaga is to appear in his next film, Machete Kills.

In a brief tweet accompanied by a movie poster (pictured), Rodriguez wrote: "I just finished working with @LadyGaga on @MacheteKills, she kicked SO MUCH ASS! Holy Smokes. Blown away!"

In this follow-up film, Machete (again played by Trejo) is recruited by the American government to take on an arms dealer who is set to launch a weapon into space.

Alongside Trejo, the film will also star Mel Gibson, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens, Michelle Rodriguez and possibly Charlie Sheen, who is rumoured to be playing the US President.

Gaga's character, identified as La Chameleon on the poster, is not mentioned in any of the production notes seen so far, and little is known about her, but the singer did confirm the news was real and this would be the start of a new chapter in her career.

"Yes its true, I will be making my debut as an actress in the amazing MACHETE KILLS BY @RODRIGUEZ," Gaga tweeted. "IM SO EXCITED!!! AH! Filming was insane."

The film will mark Gaga's cinematic debut, aside from one uncredited appearance as herself on a screen of aliens in Men in Black III. She also voiced herself on The Simpsons recently.